Melb student dies in Norway cliff fall

A Melbourne student who fell to her death from a mountain lookout in Norway was "living a life full of adventure and dreams", her family says.

Kristi Kafcaloudis, 24, fell several hundred metres from a rock formation known as Trolltunga on Saturday local time.

It is understood she lost her balance as she was preparing to pose for a photograph with classmates from Norway's University of Bergen.

The Monash University student had moved to Bergen, on Norway's southwest coast, in August on exchange.

On Saturday she and two friends hiked 1100 metres above sea level to the scenic spot, which juts out about 700m above Lake Ringedalsvatnet.

The trio were part of a larger group who were camping nearby.

The hike to Trolltunga - which translates as "troll's tongue" - takes between three and four hours.

After Ms Kafcaloudis fell, her friends tried to contact emergency services but were hampered by poor mobile coverage.

A helicopter was sent out several hours later, and at daylight on Sunday an alpine rescue team hiked several hours to reach Ms Kafcaloudis.

Her family on the Sunshine Coast have thanked Norwegian authorities and the Red Cross for their efforts.

Her mother Milli says they are mortified by the loss of a talented woman who had her whole life before her.

"We are only consoled by the fact that Kristi was doing what she loved with her friends and living a life full of adventure and dreams," she said in a statement published by the Sunshine Coast Daily.

"Our hearts go out to her friends who were with her and who no doubt share our sense of disbelief at such a sudden and traumatic loss."

The Australian government is providing consular assistance to the Kafcaloudis family, and both Monash and the Norwegian university are supporting students.

Trolltunga, about three hours' drive east of Bergen, is considered one of Norway's most spectacular scenic cliffs.